FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2002 — MDA

'Goodwill Ambassador' enjoys MDA Summer Camp

Utica, MI - MDA Michigan Goodwill Ambassador Jerry Stevens, 10, recently took time out of his busy schedule as the statewide representative of the Muscular Dystrophy Association to enjoy a week of fun-filled activities at MDA Summer Camp.

The camp, held June 23-29 at Camp Cavell in Lexington, Mich., allowed more than 80 children with a neuromuscular disease to participate in everything from archery, swimming, boat races, a scavenger hunt and Harley motorcycle ride, to arts and crafts, bingo and baseball games. Stevens said although his fourth year at camp couldn't be any better with all the fun and games, there's a lesson to be learned at MDA summer camp.

"Camp helps us learn new things about kids with muscular dystrophy," he said. "I've learned that every kid here (at camp), even though they have muscular dystrophy, inside they have a heart. I think it's important that other people know that, too."

Young people ages 6 - 21 with a neuromuscular disease have attended MDA summer camps since 1955. Hundreds of volunteers staff the camps and donate countless hours to ensure that each camper enjoys activities tailored to his or her special needs.

It costs MDA $525 per child to provide the campers with this unique experience. The camp is underwritten entirely by the generous support of local corporations and individuals. These and other donors will be recognized on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1 - 2) during the 2002 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on WB20 Detroit. This year marks the 37th annual Telethon.

Stevens lives with his parents, Jerry (Sr.) and Kim, in Utica along with his cat, Camper. He has Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, a generalized weakness of the muscles, which was diagnosed at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders (MIND), the MDA clinic in Farmington Hills, Mich. Stevens uses an electric wheelchair to maintain his independence and mobility, and also to play his favorite sports like hockey, baseball and fishing.

As the MDA Michigan Goodwill Ambassador, Stevens has the important responsibility of attending MDA functions to spread public awareness of neuromuscular disease. In addition to camp, Stevens also recently attended fund-raisers, the "Rumble to the Palace," sponsored by local Harley-Davidson dealerships, and the 5th Annual Harleyfest, sponsored by Motor City Harley-Davidson, WRIF, Miller Lite and Tom Holzer Ford.

The Stevens family is involved in many MDA activities throughout the year. Jerry Stevens was a guest on the Detroit segment of the 2001 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon on WB20, in which he and his family were featured in a family film profile. He continues to spend the year traveling throughout the state with his family to attend fund-raisers, MDA sponsored activities and parties, sponsor gatherings and many other events to spread the word about MDA and its mission. Stevens will be the MDA Michigan Goodwill Ambassador until the end of 2002.

"It's a lot of fun going all around Michigan as the Goodwill Ambassador," he said. "My favorite thing about it is meeting a lot of different people.

"I want everybody to help support the MDA so one day people can find a cure for muscular dystrophy and help kids walk."

Founded in 1950, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. MDA funds research worldwide and currently funds projects at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University. MDA operates 230 hospital-affiliated clinics across the country. Local clinics are located at Children's Hospital in Detroit and the Michigan Institute of Neuromuscular Disorders in Farmington Hills. Services include physical, occupational and respiratory therapy, genetic counseling and testing, social services consultations and year-round patient care.

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